Related articles

The compressed timeframe gives the narrative focus and a sense of urgency – in the early episodes at least, while the riot plot allows the writers to address issues such as police brutality, prison underfunding and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Power dynamics are reversed as the women hold the (mostly male) COs hostage and subject them to cramped conditions, humiliating body searches and unnecessary violence.

Litchfield transforms into a women-only commune, with peaceful(ish) bartering for goods and services, and harmony where there was previously racial divide.

The state sends in former assistant to the warden and ex-lover to Caputo, Natalie Figuero, to negotiate the hostages’ release.

NETFLIX

Orange is the New Black season 5 sees the Litchfield inmates take over the prison

Taystee nominates herself as the women’s representative, and in a series of powerful monologues details the injustices faced by prisoners, especially those who are poor and/or of colour.

Naturally the women’s occupation draws media attention, much of which is centred on the plight of rich white inmate Judy King.

Taystee decides to let King go rather than using her as a spokesperson, refocusing the media narrative on the true victims of the prison system, in particular the late Poussey Washington.

In the thrill of the riot, many of the inmates forget that Poussey’s death is what sparked their uprising in the first place.

When asked to democratically decide on a list of demands, the arrest of Poussey’s killer (CO Bailey) receives less votes than better food and internet access.

But Taystee (Danielle Brookes) remains determined to honour her friend, and ultimately throws away a better future for the prison while trying to drive a hard bargain.

OITNB cast as you've NEVER seen them before

Mon, June 19, 2017

Orange is the New Black: Here are the cast members of hit Netflix series OITNB out of prison and all dressed up.

The season is full of many stand-out performances for Brooks, who has become a real lynch-pin of the show as it has evolved into a true ensemble piece.

Uzo Aduba also continues to impress as Suzanne, bringing nuance and depth to what could easily become a one-note character.

Motherhood is a recurring theme throughout the season, with a vulnerable Gloria desperate to get out of Litchfield to visit her seriously ill son.

The prison cook hatches a plan to release the hostages, but makes a mistake by letting Maria in on her secret.

Maria turns from hostage torturer-in-chief to pacifist when she discovers that the additional time put on her sentence in season four was never processed, and betrays Gloria in the hopes of seeing her own child.

By this point Taystee has won all of the women’s demands bar one, as Figuero explains that Bailey’s arrest is out of her hands.

NETFLIX

Orange is the New Black: Poussey was killed at the end of season four

Taystee sends her away, unaware that her bargaining chips are escaping the prison as she speaks.

When Figuero and the state realise that it was Maria, not Taystee, that freed the hostages, a SWAT team is sent in to regain control of the prison.

The inmates are captured, handcuffed and loaded on to separate buses, unsure if they will return to Litchfield or be separated for good.

For the most part the show’s new format is a success, however there are a handful of misfires.

Orange is the New Black is known for jumping between drama and comedy, but the seriousness of the prison riot storyline doesn’t always mesh well with some of the more slapstick elements.

A particularly misguided episode plonks a slasher film homage in the middle of tense negotiations, as Piscatella breaks into the prison seeking revenge on Red and her family.

NETFLIX

Orange is the New Black: Piscatella breaks into Litchfield

The horror tropes jar with the following episode, which sees Piscatella become violent with the women, even breaking Alex’s arm to subdue her.

In the final episodes the women overpower Piscatella and tie him up in a makeshift bunker, where they toy with enacting revenge on him.

As the SWAT team swarms the prison, Taystee makes her way to the bunker, and comes face-to-face with the man who caused her friend’s death.

In a scene reminiscent of last year’s cliffhanger, she points a gun point-blank at him.

This time the prison guard walks free, as Taystee collapses under the weight of her grief.

But Piscatella’s freedom is short-lived, as he is accidentally shot to death by an armed officer while escaping the prison.